How do I change back to maiden name on passport?

by DD
(Monroe, LA. )

Question: I divorced 14 years ago and I want to change my name back to my maiden name. I do not have a court order. What do I need to do to change the name on my passport?

Answer: An applicant whose maiden surname is restored after a divorce may have the passport written in that surname provided he/she submits the divorce decree or court order so specifying (original or certified copy).

A divorced applicant who does not have a divorce decree or court order that cites the restoration of the maiden name but who uses a maiden surname exclusively may have the passport written in that surname provided he/she submits:

* Three pieces of acceptable identification as listed above;

* Death or Divorce Certificate;

* Evidence of claim to the former name: i.e. marriage certificate, birth certificate, or expired U.S. passport in that name.

To determine which application form you need to complete, click the link below.

Question: Can I submit anything else in place of a divorce decree to revert back to my maiden name while renewing an expired passport? If I send in my original birth certificate, how quickly do I get it back? Seems scary to send off originals.

Thank you!

Answer: If you cannot provide proof of the name change, you may apply for a new passport instead of a renewal.

You will then need to submit your birth certificate (original or certified copy) with the rest of the requirements. It will be returned to you once the process is completed. Routine processing takes 4 to 6 weeks while expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Documents other than divorce decreeby: Anonymous

Question: Hi. My current passport has my married name on it and expires at the end of this year, I want to go back to my maiden name but my divorce decree does not state anything specifically about a name change. I recently changed back to my original (maiden) name this year with social security and on my drivers license so I have these documents with my maiden name along with my certified birth certificate and even my certified marriage certificate, all of these documents have my original name on them. Will all of these documents, even though my divorce decree has no mention of my name change, be enough to change it on my passport? Please advise on exactly what is needed to accomplish this. Thanks.

Answer: Your divorce decree should suffice as proof of legal name change. While the name change may not be specified in the decree, it is generally assumed that you will revert to your maiden name or previous after a divorce. You may include a statement explaining the situation with your application.

If passport services will need additional documentation, they will contact you with instructions. You may also call customer service at 1-877-487-2778 for advice.

Passport expired, name changeby: Anonymous

Question: It will be perfect if I can send birth certificate and drivers license. However, the form asked if I have ever been issued a US passport and requires the book number etc. The only other option to select is if I have filed a "lost passport" form (this is in the online wizard). How can I omit the expired passport? Thank you!

Answer: You cannot 'omit' the old passport as you need to fill out the passport application form with true and correct information. Since you have been issued a passport in the past, you must indicate such in the application and provide the needed information, if available. Some applicants actually find it less complicated to complete the form by hand rather than use the online wizard.

If the passport has been expired for more than 5 years, you do not need to submit it with the application. Instead, you can apply for a new passport altogether and submit the following:

You need to apply in person at a nearby acceptance facility. Routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks to complete. If you need to get them sooner, you need to pay for expedited service to get the passport in 2 to 3 weeks.

Reverting to maiden name after 2 divorcesby: Jessica

Question: My passport expires in 3 weeks. It's still under my first married name. I've been divorced, remarried and divorced again since it was issued and have reverted to my maiden name. Do I need to submit both divorce decrees and the second marriage license in order to change it back to my maiden name or is there a less cumbersome way to file for it?

Answer: You will only need to submit the divorce decree from your first marriage to document legal name change.

Passport expired, name change since thenby: Anonymous

Question: I need to renew my passport; it actually expired over 15 years ago. I will still mail the old passport in, since it seems to be needed. Unfortunately, the passport was in a name from a previous marriage. I have gone back to my maiden name since then. If I mail in my birth certificate and license, which are both my maiden name, will that suffice?

There will be no need to submit your expired passport since you will be applying for a new passport using Form DS-11. Please submit all the requirements in person at a nearby application acceptance facility.

Msby: Lucy

Question: Divorced and social security already changed to maiden name and now want to change passport. How do I do it?

Answer: Mail your passport, passport photo and divorce decree to the address on the application form. If your passport was issued less than 12 months ago, use Form Ds-5504. If your passport was issued more than 12 months ago, use Form DS-82 and pay the applicable fee.

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